Garciaparra Is Still Hurt

Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra probably won’t be ready for opening day because of inflammation in his right Achilles’ tendon.

Garciaparra was injured three weeks ago when he was hit in the right heel by a ball during batting practice. He has not played since March 17.

Garciaparra will not play in the April 4 opener against the Baltimore Orioles if he does not first face live pitching, Manager Terry Francona said.

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Reliever Jeff Zimmerman of the Texas Rangers will undergo exploratory surgery to determine the extent of the damage to his right elbow and expects to be out six weeks. The 31-year-old right-hander met with Dr. Lewis Yocum and will have the operation this week.... The New York Mets traded outfielder Timo Perez to the Chicago White Sox for right-hander Matt Ginter. Perez, 28, batted .269 with four home runs and 42 RBIs last season. He was one of five players competing for playing time in right field, along with Karim Garcia, Shane Spencer, Roger Cedeno and Raul Gonzalez.... The Detroit Tigers optioned right-hander Franklyn German to triple-A Toledo. German, 24, made 45 relief appearances last season. He went 2-4 with a 6.04 earned-run average and five saves.